"We need the elements of Harmony." Twilight stated.
"But they're locked in up Canterlot and only the princess can open the vault." Fluttershy added.
"We can't fight him on our own. If we don't have the most power possible we won't have a chance." Lloyd said.
"I can get them." The group looked past Rarity to the now standing form of the blue Alicorn.
"Princess, no. You're still too weak to do anything like that." Fluttershy flew to the mare's side and tried to ease her back to the couch but the princess refused and pushed away.
"I can get to the vault and retrieve the elements. Celestia isn't the only one who can open the vault."
"Are you sure you can do this princess?" Twilight asked her voice edged with concern but Luna smiled back.
"I am tired, not injured Twilight. I can make it."
"I should come with you." Rainbow said flying next to the princess. "In case that monster comes back, I can fight him off."
"No, it will be faster if I go alone." She said nodding to Rainbow dash.
"No." a deep voice drew all of their attention. "No one goes anywhere alone. Not with Darkside out there." Lloyd said his voice leaving no room for questions.
Luna however persisted. "I can handle myself, if he attacks me I will be ready. I am still a princess of Equestria." She said with air of power.
Lloyd firmly shook his head. "No, I'm not worried about him physically hurting you, I'm worried about his real power."
"Real power? You mean besides the shadows and scary magic he has more powers? That's just unfair!" Pinkie said throwing her hooves in the air.
"What real power are you talking about?" Twilight asked.
The stallion sighed and sat down again to explain. "The real reason Darkside is so dangerous isn't just because of how strong he is but because he has another power. It doesn't have a name but using it he can see into people's hearts, their minds, what makes them, them. He can see into people and find the one bit of darkness or evil in their heart. Their sadness, anger, vanity, fear, pride, or whatever it is and he can use that, making it stronger and making it consume your mind. He can turn the strongest warrior into a quivering mess by finding what evil is in his mind. He can turn the best of friends on each other by twisting one person's greed or selfishness."
"That's fine, we don't have darkness like that." Rainbow proudly declared.
"Really? You remember before I got here? I saw how you all looked, he used it on you then and that wasn't even the worst of it." Lloyd scoffed. "If he uses that on you while you're alone, you're nothing but his toy."
Rainbow, Pinkie and Applejack cast their eyes down remembering the feelings that had burned inside them. "So how do we fight it?" Rainbow asked.
"The only way to truly beat it is to come to terms with your darkness like I have, but that's too long and difficult for you all. As long as you stay with someone, someone who can shake you out of it, remind you who you really are you'll be okay. So no one goes alone!" He said the last line harshly and in Luna's direction.
The princess seemed annoyed but relented chastising the pony. "Very well, I suppose someone should accompany me, but another unicorn would be better, so we can combine our powers against him if he attacks."
"I'll go." Rarity said stepping forward. "I know Canterlot well, I can help."
Twilight looked at her friend and thanked her with downcast eyes. She didn't want to leave Celestia or she would have gladly volunteered.
"Alright, you two will get the elements but we have another problem to take care of." They all watched Lloyd as he spoke, he was in full command now and he nodded to acknowledge their commitment. "Darkside doesn't care about any rules but his own, so he's likely to go after your families." He didn't know any kind way to lead into it so jumping in was best.
"What?!" Then again, easing in might have been a better call if the echo of voices was any indicator.
"That beast won't touch my family!" Applejack snorted.
"Oh no Sweetebelle is out there with Applebloom tonight!" Rarity said shaking.
"He. . . He wouldn't hurt the cakes right?" Pinkie said, her voice lower and filled with fear.
"W-w-w-what about the animals? Oh poor angel! No no no." Fluttershy whimpered.
Lloyd slapped his hoof into his forehead. That was just fucking stupid. Think you dumbass! "Listen everyone!" He yelled over the panicking ponies gaining their attention, though Pinkie continued to look at the floor. "We can protect them, we just need to bring them all somewhere nearby. If we can get them together somewhere I can shield them."
"But, we need to get help for the princess still." Twilight chimed in. The whole group nodded but it was clear they were all shaken in fear over the dark monster hunting down their loved ones. "We'll have to split up."
"What did I just tell you?" Lloyd said sounding annoyed as he glared at Twilight.
"No one is going anywhere alone. Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, you two got to sweet apple acres and get Sweetebelle and the apple family. Then go to Fluttershy's cottage and get Angel and warn away the rest of the animals." The two Pegasus nodded. "Applejack, Pinkie, you two can go and get a doctor and nurse from the hospital, tell them it's an emergency for the princess and they should be willing to help." Applejack nodded and Pinkie Pie saluted. "Luna and Rarity will go and get the elements while Lloyd and I wait here."
"Shouldn't He come with us?" Rainbow asked. "We might need the help if Darkside attacks us while we're trying to run with everyone."
"No, I have to stay here. Darkside still sees Celestia as a possible threat. He's more likely to come back here and I need to fend him off if he does." Lloyd said. "One more thing where are we going to hide the families? We can't have them here in library, this place might become a battlefield."
"Oh, I hadn't thought about that." Twilight admitted.
"What about sugar cube corner?" Pinkie perked up from the ground. "There is plenty to eat, and if we move them there then the cakes won't have to move."
"That's nearby right?" Lloyd asked twilight who nodded. "Yeah, I should be able to protect them fine there."
"Alright, we need to move girls. You all know what we need to do, let's go!" Twilight cheered and they moved out. Pinkie and Applejack left through eh door and galloped to the hospital, while Rainbow and Fluttershy flew off towards the farm. Luna and Rarity were prepared to depart when Lloyd stopped them.
"We have to go what is it now?" Luna demanded, her patience with the stallion wearing thin.
"I have to ask you something Princess. You're angry at Darkside right?" He said with a dipped head.
Luna scoffed. "He wounded my sister before me and butchered my subjects." She lowered her blazing eyes on level with the stallion. "I am beyond angry."
Lloyd held her gaze despite the burning intensity. "I was afraid of that. Listen to me, if he attacks you, run. Don't fight him no matter how much you want to."
"Why?" The question actually came from Twilight behind him but it didn't matter, as Luna's face was clearly asking the same question.
"Darkside thrives on negative emotions. Rage is definitely one of them. Fighting him in rage won't get you anywhere. That's why Twilight's spell failed earlier against him. If you attack him in rage he'll deflect the attack easily. You have to face him with a calm determination."
"Really? Cause you seem pretty angry at him. How do you fight him so well?" Twilight asked again.
"Don't get me wrong, I hate the bastard, and I want to tear his heart out, but I hate him with reason, not out of rage, not for the sake of revenge. When we fight I fight for a reason besides revenge or anger." He looked back to Luna. "Please, he is a little afraid of you, if he gets you angry you won't be able to hurt him. Fight him with cold anger and you can at least drive him off. If not, please, run."
Luna glared on the small grey pony before sighing. "If all goes well, it will not matter and we will not encounter him."
Lloyd took that as the best answer he was going to get and let the argument die. He nodded and Luna returned the gesture. After a quick wave, Luna's horn glowed surrounding the two mares in a dark blue light that vanished a second later. Now the only ones remaining were an unconscious Celestia, Lloyd and Twilight.
Well, this is far more awkward than I thought it would be. He thought as he closed the door.
. . .
Outside the window above them, a tiny black pony turned away and glided on shadowy wings away from the library. Behind a beautifully decorated building it landed before a massive black alicorn that smiled as the smaller being approached.
"Well?" Darkside asked with smirked. The smaller shadow pony stepped into his master's shadow and melted away becoming a part of the black pit again. Darkside felt the memories flood his mind, all that the little minion had seen and heard flooded into his head. As the wave settled he opened his eyes with a happy smile. "Let the fun begin little Lloyd."
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